2017/07/01

Howard Phipps

Howard Phipps is a painter and printmaker with a special interest in Wood engraving. This is a traditional method of making relief prints , originating in England in the 18th century, where an image is engraved in reverse on very smooth end grain boxwood, from which prints will be taken on completion.

The artist is based in Wiltshire, Southern England, and much of his work is inspired by the chalk downland of this area. He makes drawings and watercolours on location, and has a particular interest in mans impact on this landscape where there are frequent reminders of remote human history. Ancient tracks he finds compelling, and trees, the Beech especially, frequently feature in his work as they line these old ways. His often large preliminary drawings made over several sessions form the basis of his engravings.

Ebble Valley Oak, wood engraving

Howard Phipps has exhibited frequently at Royal Academy Exhibitions in London, since 1985, where he has also been a winner of the contemporary Print Prize. He has had numerous one man exhibitions, and has work in several collections including The British Museum [ 12 engravings ], The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, and three Wiltshire County collections.

In addition to making work for exhibitions Howard has illustrated a number of books, and has a strong association with The Whittington Press who published his own purely visual collections exploring the theme of Interior spaces. Whittington also published ‘Ebble Valley’ with both text and engravings by the artist, being his observations of the landscape where he has lived for thirty years.